Most homeowners ignore the simplest thing that they can do for healthier home air and a longer lasting HVAC system. Changing your clogged air filters on a regular basis (between every 30 to 90 days) can be more beneficial than you might think.
Missing this 2-minute task can have big repercussions on your indoor air quality and can even knock out your system when you need it most. A clogged air filter has its own set of symptoms that you may have noticed — and been annoyed by!
Dirty Air Filter Home Warning Signs
If you don’t know the last time you changed your filter, it’s been too long. If you want to check for yourself if your filter is in need of replacing, keep an eye (and nose) out for these dirty air filter home warning signs.
1. White Sheet Test
An effective but non-scientific way to see if you’re dealing with a clogged air filter is to hang a white sheet a few inches from one of your air vents and wait a few hours. If your filter is filthy, you’ll see black and gray specks on the white sheet. That’s a sign to change your full filter ASAP!
2. Less Air from the Vents
This is a warning sign of a dirty home air filter that you’ll feel but won’t see. If you’re convinced that your vents aren’t circulating nearly as much air while your system runs, you’re not going crazy — you’re dealing with a full and dirty air filter. If the filter is truly clogged, the dirt and debris can actually restrict the flow of air into your home.
3. Extra Sneezy and Wheezy
For people with allergies and asthma, clean home air is crucial to keep coughing and sniffling at bay. If you notice that you or loved ones’ respiratory issues are worse — and it’s not allergy season — a full air filter may be to blame. When your filter is clogged, it can no longer effectively pull the irritants from the air.
4. It Takes Longer to Heat or Cool Your Home
A clogged air filter in your HVAC system also drastically reduces the air flow to your system. In addition to doing long-term damage to your system, this dirty air filter home warning sign also makes your system less responsive. If you notice that it takes longer for your home’s temperature to change, that’s no accident. The full-to-bursting filter is making your system less efficient.
5. Unexplained Energy Bill Spike
A less efficient system doesn’t just make heating and cooling your house take longer — it makes use of your HVAC system more expensive, too. Since your system has to work harder to achieve the same temperature, you end up paying for it. An unexplained increase in your monthly energy bill can be a sign of a clogged air filter.
Long Term Consequences of Not Changing Your Filter
Yes, a clogged air filter can really have that much of an impact on your home, your health, and your checkbook. It sounds serious, and we’re not exaggerating. Since a full filter causes the system to output an insufficient amount of air, it can actually cause real damage down the road to your entire HVAC system.
Not changing your HVAC filters can cause the following problems:
- Higher energy bills (heating and cooling)
- Worse air quality
- Less responsive HVAC system
- Possible system breakdowns
Simply put, any of these issues are annoying enough to make it worth your time to have your air filter changed. Don’t suffer the dirty air filter home problems — change your filter early and often.
At Total Mechanical Systems, we can handle all of your A/C and filter problems, big and small. From making sure you have the best air quality to fixing your A/C when it’s broken down on a hot summer day, we do it all. If you need our help changing a clogged filter or even to just check out your system to ensure it is ready to go for when the warmer weather hits, give us a call to schedule your annual Spring maintenance at (860) 314-1518. Call us to book your maintenance appointment by March 31st and you’ll get an additional 10% Off!
